Near-infrared polymer Y-branch splitters with compact MMI structures for efficient power splitting

Abstract

This research presents a novel strategy for enhancing optical network efficiency by implementing a taper-based single-mode step-index (SI) core polymer Y-branch multimode interference (MMI) splitter. The innovative splitter design offers notable benefits in terms of performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. By capitalizing on the inherent attributes of the polymer material, including its minimal propagation losses and flexibility, we meticulously engineer this Y-Branch MMI polymer splitter. A 5 μm core width is purposefully maintained in the input and output components to uphold single-mode conditions. Embracing the self-imaging principle, the design and optimization of this Y-branch splitter are conducted employing the beam propagation method at a 1.55 μm wavelength. SI MMI splitters achieve a commendable power splitting efficiency of 86%. Our examination shows an excess loss of 0.52 dB and 0.50 dB for TE and TM modes, respectively. Furthermore, the calculated polarization dependence loss (PDL) is 0.015 dB, with a propagation loss of only 0.00019 dB/μm.